Novel non-destructive techniques to characterise fruit internal components and detect the presence of defects E. Arendse 1 , O.A. Fawole 2 , L.S. Magwaza 3 and U.L. Opara 1,2,a 1 Postharvest Technology Research Laboratory, South African Research Chair in Postharvest Technology, Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa; 2 Postharvest Technology Research Laboratory, South African Research Chair in Postharvest Technology, Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa; 3 Department of Crop and Horticultural Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Abstract In this study, the application of microfocus X-ray computed tomography (µCT) with a density calibration of homogenous polymeric materials ranging from 0.9-2.2 g cm -3 and its accuracy for differentiating fruit fractions (albedo and arils) and detecting false codling moth in pomegranate fruit ‘Herskawitz’ was investigated. A commercial X-ray system with a radiation source of 100 kV and electron current of 200 µA was used to generate two-dimensional (2-D) radioscopic images which were reconstructed into three-dimensional (3-D) volumes. The estimation of the density of pomegranate fruit fractions (arils and albedo) and false codling moth were successfully determined within the calibration range. The density of whole fruit (1.07±0.02 g cm -3 ) and fruit fractions (arils 1.12±0.04 and albedo 1.04±0.03 g cm -3 ) was significantly higher compared to the codling larva moth (0.94±0.04 g cm -3 ) found within the fruit. The predicted mass (g) for arils and albedo were 153.42±34.58 and 104.73±14.56 g respectively, which accounted for an average of 40 and 59% of the total pomegranate fruit mass (259.84±36.90 g). The destructive measurements were similar to that of the µCT predicted data for arils (159.06±33.09 g) and albedo (102.30±11.66 g) with the paired t-test showing no significant difference between the μCT predicted and destructively measured mass. The results thus demonstrated that the developed algorithm can be used to accurately characterise the fruit internal components and detect the presence of false codling moth within pomegranate fruit. Keywords: X-ray computed tomography, fruit quality, false codling moth, polymeric materials INTRODUCTION Pomegranate fruit is highly prone to various types of pest and disease infestations (Holland et al., 2009). One pest in particular, the false codling moth (FCM) (Thaumatotibia leucotreta), is an endemic and indigenous pest mainly found in Africa. FCM has been reported to cause the loss of entire pomegranate orchards within South Africa (Wohlfarter et al., 2010). The FCM feeds on a wide range of cultivated crops including deciduous, subtropical and tropical fruits (Stotter and Terblanche, 2009). Furthermore, FCM can enter through the crown/calyx of the fruit and pomegranate fruit can harbour FCM untill maturity, making it extremely difficult to detect. The South African pomegranate export industry is currently plagued with huge quality losses due to the high incidence of pests and the occurrence of physiological disorders. Limited research has been conducted to develop technology that can assess, predict and monitor pests and physiological disorders. Therefore, in order for South Africa to maintain its competitive edge in the export industry, there is a need for the development of non- a E-mail: opara@sun.ac.za Acta Hortic. 1201. ISHS 2018. DOI 10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1201.41 VII Int. Conf. on Managing Quality in Chains & II Int. Symp. on Ornamentals in association with XIII Int. Protea Research Symp. Eds.: U.L. Opara and E.W. Hoffman 303